LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
FOR TENDERS OF
$125,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount of
95/8% Series A Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007
GFSI, INC.
Pursuant to the Prospectus dated
________ __, 1997 of GFSI, Inc.
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THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M. NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EARLIER
OF ________ __, 1997 (UNLESS EXTENDED) OR THE DATE ON WHICH 100% OF THE OLD
NOTES ARE VALIDLY TENDERED AND NOT WITHDRAWN (THE "EXPIRATION DATE"). TENDERED
OLD NOTES MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE OF THE
EXCHANGE OFFER.
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Deliver to: Fleet National Bank, Exchange Agent:
By Mail: By Overnight Courier: By Hand:
Fleet National Bank Fleet National Bank Fleet National Bank
Mail Code: CTOPT06D Mail Code: CTOPT06D Corporate Trust Operations
Corporate Trust Operations Corporate Trust Operations Department
Department Department Customer Service Window
P.O. Box 1440 1 Talcott Plaza, 6th Floor 1 Talcott Plaza, 5th Floor
Hartford, Connecticut 06143 Hartford, Connecticut 06120 Hartford, Connecticut 06120
By Facsimile:
(860) 986-7908
Delivery of this instrument to an address other than as set forth above, or
transmission of instructions via facsimile other than as set forth above, will
not constitute a valid delivery.
The undersigned (the "Holder") acknowledges that he or she has received the
Prospectus,
dated ________ __, 1997 (the "Prospectus"), of GFSI, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and this Letter of Transmittal, which may be
amended from time to time (this "Letter"), which together constitute the
Company's offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange an aggregate principal amount
of up to $125,000,000 of its 95/8% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007
(the "New Notes") for a like principal amount of the issued and outstanding
95/8% Series A Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "Old Notes") of the
Company from the holders thereof.
For each Old Note accepted for exchange, the Holder of such Old Note will
receive a New Note having a principal amount equal to that of the surrendered
Old Note. The New Notes will bear interest from the most recent date to which
interest has been paid on the Old Notes or, if no interest has been paid on the
Old Notes, from February 27, 1997. Accordingly, registered holders of New Notes
on the relevant record date for the first interest payment date following the
consummation of the Exchange Offer will receive interest accruing from the most
recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid,
from February 27, 1997. Old Notes accepted for exchange will cease to accrue
interest from and after the date of consummation of the Exchange Offer. Holders
of Old Notes whose Old Notes are accepted for exchange will not receive any
payment in respect of interest on such Old Notes otherwise payable on any
interest payment date the record date for which occurs on or after consummation
of the Exchange Offer.
This Letter is to be used: (i) by all Holders who are not members of the
Automated Tender Offering Program ("ATOP") at the Depository Trust Company
("DTC"), (ii) by Holders who are ATOP members but choose not to use ATOP or
(iii) if the Old Notes are to be tendered in accordance with the guaranteed
delivery procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer -- Guaranteed Delivery
Procedures" section of the Prospectus. See Instruction 2. Delivery of this
Letter to DTC does not constitute delivery to the Exchange Agent.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the registration rights
agreement dated February 27, 1997 among the Company and the original purchasers
of Old Notes (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), the Company will accept for
exchange any and all Old Notes validly tendered on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on the earlier of _________ __, 1997 (unless the Exchange Offer
is extended by the Company) or the date on which 100% of the Old Notes are
validly tendered and not withdrawn (the "Expiration Date"). Tenders of Old Notes
may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date.
IMPORTANT: HOLDERS WHO WISH TO TENDER OLD NOTES IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER
MUST COMPLETE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND TENDER THE OLD NOTES TO THE
EXCHANGE AGENT AND NOT TO THE COMPANY.
The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount of
Old Notes being tendered for exchange. However, the Exchange Offer is subject to
certain conditions. Please see the Prospectus under the section titled "The
Exchange Offer -- Conditions to the Exchange Offer."
The Exchange Offer is not being made to, nor will tenders be accepted from
or on behalf of, Holders of Old Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or
acceptance of the Exchange Offer would not be in compliance with the laws of
such jurisdiction.
The instructions included with this Letter of Transmittal must be followed
in their entirety. Questions and request for assistance or for additional copies
of the Prospectus or this Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the Exchange
Agent at the address listed above.
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APPROPRIATE SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
The undersigned hereby tenders to the Company the principal amount of Old
Notes indicated below under "Description of Old Notes," in accordance with and
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus,
receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and in this Letter of Transmittal, for
the purpose of exchanging each $1,000 principal amount of Old Notes designated
herein held by the undersigned and tendered hereby for $1,000 principal amount
of the New Notes. New Notes will be issued only in integral multiples of $1,000
to each tendering Holder of Old Notes whose Old Notes are accepted in the
Exchange Offer. Holders may tender all or a portion of their Old Notes pursuant
to the Exchange Offer.
Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance for exchange of the Old
Notes tendered herewith in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer, the
undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the
Company all right, title and interest in and to all such Old Notes that are
being tendered hereby and that are being accepted for exchange pursuant to the
Exchange Offer. The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the
Exchange Agent as the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of the
undersigned (with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent also acts as the agent
of the Company), with respect to the Old Notes tendered hereby and accepted for
exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer with full power of substitution (such
power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an
interest) to deliver the Old Notes tendered hereby to the Company (together with
all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity) for transfer or
cancellation by the Company.
All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of
Transmittal shall not be affected by, and shall survive, the death or incapacity
of the undersigned and any obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be
binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives,
successors and assigns of the undersigned. Any tender of Old Notes hereunder may
be withdrawn only in accordance with the procedures set forth in the
instructions contained in this Letter of Transmittal. See Instruction 4 hereto.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that he or she has full
power and authority to tender, exchange, assign and transfer the Old Notes
tendered hereby and that the Company will acquire good and unencumbered title
thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and
not subject to any adverse claim. The undersigned will, upon request, execute
and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Company to be necessary or
desirable to complete the assignment and transfer of the Old Notes tendered. The
undersigned has read and agrees to all of the terms of the Exchange Offer.
The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional
documents deemed by the Company to be necessary or desirable to complete the
sale, assignment and transfer of the Old Notes tendered hereby. All authority
conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter and every obligation of the
undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs,
executors, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy and legal representatives of
the undersigned and shall not be affected by, and shall survive, the death or
incapacity of the undersigned. This tender may be withdrawn only in accordance
with the procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer--Withdrawal Rights" section
of the Prospectus.
The name(s) and address(es) of the registered Holder(s) should be printed
herein under "Description of Old Notes" (unless a label setting forth such
information appears thereunder), exactly as they appear on the Old Notes
tendered hereby. The certificate number(s) and the principal amount of Old Notes
to which this Letter of Transmittal relates, together with the principal amount
of such Old Notes that the undersigned wishes to tender, should be indicated in
the appropriate boxes herein under "Description of Old Notes."
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The undersigned agrees that acceptance of any tendered Old Notes by the
Company and the issuance of New Notes in exchange therefor shall constitute
performance in full by the Company of its obligations under the Registration
Rights Agreement and that, upon the issuance of the New Notes, the Company will
have no further obligations or liabilities thereunder.
The undersigned understands that the tender of Old Notes pursuant to one of
the procedures described in the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer --
Procedures for Tendering Old Notes" and the Instructions hereto will constitute
the tendering Holder's acceptance of the terms and the conditions of the
Exchange Offer. The undersigned hereby represents and warrants to the Company
that the New Notes to be acquired by such Holder pursuant to the Exchange Offer
are being acquired in the ordinary course of such Holder's business, that such
Holder has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the
distribution of the New Notes. The Company's acceptance for exchange of Old
Notes tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer will constitute a binding
agreement between the tendering Holder and the Company upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.
THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT ENGAGED IN,
AND DOES NOT INTEND TO ENGAGE IN, A DISTRIBUTION OF THE NEW NOTES.
The undersigned also acknowledges that this Exchange Offer is being made
based on interpretations by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties in
other transactions substantially similar to the Exchange Offer, which lead the
Company to believe that the New Notes issued in exchange for the Old Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise
transferred by holders thereof (other than (i) any such holder that is an
"affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities
Act, (ii) an Initial Purchaser who acquired the Old Notes directly from the
Company solely in order to resell pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act or
any other available exemption under the Securities Act, or (iii) a broker-dealer
who acquired the Old Notes as a result of market making or other trading
activities), without further compliance with the registration and prospectus
delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such New Notes are
acquired in the ordinary course of such holders' business and such holders are
not participating and have no arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of
such New Notes. If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned
represents that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a
distribution of New Notes and has no arrangement or understanding to participate
in a distribution of New Notes. If any holder is an affiliate of the Company or
is engaged in or has any arrangement or understanding with respect to the
distribution of the New Notes to be acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer,
such holder (i) could not rely on the applicable interpretations of the staff of
the Commission and (ii) must comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act. If the undersigned is a broker-
dealer that will receive New Notes for its own account in exchange of Old Notes,
it represents that the Old Notes to be exchanged for the New Notes were acquired
by it as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and
acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of
such New Notes; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the
undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the
meaning of Section 2 (ii) of the Securities Act.
The undersigned understands that the New Notes issued in consideration of
Old Notes accepted for exchange, and/or any principal amount of Old Notes not
tendered or not accepted for exchange, will only be issued in the name of the
Holder(s) appearing herein under "Description of Old Notes." Unless otherwise
indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions," please mail the New Notes
issued in consideration of Old Notes accepted for exchange, and/or any principal
amount of Old Notes not tendered or not accepted for exchange (and accompanying
documents, as appropriate), to the Holder(s) at the address(es) appearing herein
under "Description of Old Notes." In the event that the Special Delivery
Instructions are completed, please mail the New Notes issued in consideration of
Old Notes accepted for exchange, and/or any Old Notes for any principal
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amount not tendered or not accepted for exchange, in the name of the Holder(s)
appearing herein under "Description of Old Notes," and send such New Notes
and/or Old Notes to, the address(es) so indicated. Any transfer of Old Notes to
a different holder must be completed, according to the provisions on transfer of
Old Notes contained in the Indentures.
THE UNDERSIGNED, BY COMPLETING THE BOX ENTITLED "DESCRIPTION OF OLD NOTES"
BELOW AND SIGNING THIS LETTER, WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE TENDERED THE OLD NOTES AS
SET FORTH IN SUCH BOX BELOW.
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INSTRUCTIONS
Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions
of the Exchange Offer
1. Guarantee of Signatures. Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal or
notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, must be guaranteed by an institution
which falls within the definition of "eligible guarantor institution" contained
in Rule 17Ad-15 as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (hereinafter, an "Eligible
Institution") unless (i) the Old Notes tendered hereby are tendered by the
Holder(s) of the Old Notes who has (have) not completed the box entitled
"Special Delivery Instructions" on this Letter of Transmittal or (ii) the Old
Notes are tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution.
2. Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal and Old Notes; Guaranteed
Delivery Procedures. This Letter of Transmittal is to be used: (i) by all
Holders who are not ATOP members, (ii) by Holders who are ATOP members but
choose not to use ATOP or (iii) if the Old Notes are to be tendered in
accordance with the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus
under "The Exchange Offer Guaranteed Delivery Procedures." To validly tender Old
Notes, a Holder must physically deliver a properly completed and duly executed
Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof) with any required signature
guarantees and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent at its address
set forth on the cover of this Letter of Transmittal prior to the Expiration
Date (as defined below) or the Holder must properly complete and duly execute an
ATOP ticket in accordance with DTC procedures. Otherwise, the Holder must comply
with the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the next paragraph.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Registration Rights Agreement,
the term "Expiration Date" means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the earlier
of _________ __, 1997 (or such later date to which the Company may, in its sole
discretion, extend the Exchange Offer) or the date on which 100% of the Old
Notes are validly tendered and not withdrawn. If this Exchange Offer is
extended, the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest time and date to
which the Exchange Offer is extended. The Company expressly reserves the right,
at any time or from time to time, to extend the period of time during which the
Exchange Offer is open by giving oral (confirmed in writing) or written notice
of such extension to the Exchange Agent and by making a public announcement of
such extension prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day
after the previously scheduled Expiration Date.
LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD NOT BE SENT TO THE COMPANY OR TO DTC.
If a Holder of the Old Notes desires to tender such Old Notes and time will
not permit such Holder's required documents to reach the Exchange Agent before
the Expiration Date, a tender may be effected if (a) the tender is made through
an Eligible Institution, (b) on or prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange
Agent receives from such Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly
executed Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof) and Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery (by telegram, facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery) setting
forth the name and address of the Holder of the Old Notes and the principal
amount of Old Notes tendered, stating that the tender is being made thereby and
guaranteeing that within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the
Expiration Date, any documents required by the Letter of Transmittal will be
deposited by the Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent; and (c) all other
documents required by the Letter of Transmittal are received by the Exchange
Agent within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration
Date. See "The Exchange Offer - Guaranteed Delivery Procedures" as set forth in
the Prospectus.
Only a Holder of Old Notes may tender Old Notes in the Exchange Offer. The
term "Holder" as used herein with respect to the Old Notes means any person in
whose name Old Notes are registered on the books of the Trustee. If the Letter
of Transmittal or any Old Notes are signed by trustees, executors,
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administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others
acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so
indicate when signing, and, unless waived by the Company, proper evidence
satisfactory to the Company of their authority to so act must be so submitted.
Any beneficial Holder whose Old Notes are registered in the name of his
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and who wishes
to validly surrender those Old Notes in the Exchange Offer should contact such
registered Holder promptly and instruct such registered Holder to tender on his
behalf. If such beneficial Holder wishes to tender on his own behalf, such
beneficial Holder must, prior to completing and executing the Letter of
Transmittal, make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the Old
Notes in such beneficial holder's name. It is the responsibility of the
beneficial holder to register ownership in his own name if he chooses to do so.
The transfer of record ownership may take considerable time.
The method of delivery of this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile hereof)
and all other required documents is at the election and risk of the exchanging
Holder, but, except as otherwise provided below, the delivery will be deemed
made only when actually received or confirmed by the Exchange Agent. If sent by
mail, registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured, is
recommended. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to assure timely
delivery to the Exchange Agent before the Expiration Date. No Letters of
Transmittal or Old Notes should be sent to the Company.
No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted. All
tendering Holders, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile
hereof), waive any right to receive notice of acceptance of their Old Notes for
exchange.
3. Inadequate Space. If the space provided herein is inadequate, the
certificate numbers and principal amount of the Old Notes to which this Letter
of Transmittal relates should be listed on a separate signed schedule attached
hereto.
4. Withdrawal of Tender. Tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn at any time
prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.
To be effective, a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal
must (i) be received by the Exchange Agent at the address set forth herein prior
to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration date, (ii) specify the name
of the person having tendered the Old Notes to be withdrawn, (iii) identify the
Old Notes to be withdrawn and (iv) be (a) signed by the Holder in the same
manner as the original signature on the Letter of Transmittal by which such Old
Notes were tendered (including any required signature guarantees) or (b)
accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the Company that the Holder withdrawing
such tender has succeeded to beneficial ownership of such Old Notes. If Old
Notes have been tendered pursuant to the ATOP procedure with DTC, any notice of
withdrawal must otherwise comply with the procedures of DTC. Old Notes properly
withdrawn will thereafter be deemed not validly tendered for purposes of the
Exchange Offer; provided, however, that withdrawn Old Notes may be retendered by
again following one of the procedures described herein at any time prior to 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. All questions as to the
validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of notice of
withdrawal will be determined by the Company, whose determinations will be final
and binding on all parties. Neither the Company, the Exchange Agent, nor any
other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or
irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to
give any such notification. The Exchange Agent intends to use reasonable efforts
to give notification of such defects and irregularities.
5. Partial Tenders; Pro Rata Effect. Tenders of the Old Notes will be
accepted only in integral multiples of $1,000. If less than the entire principal
amount evidenced by any Old Notes is to be tendered, fill in the principal
amount that is to be tendered in the box entitled "Principal Amount Tendered"
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below. The entire principal amount of all Old Notes delivered to the Exchange
Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.
6. Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal; Bond Powers and Endorsements.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered Holder(s) of the Old
Notes tendered hereby, the signature must correspond with the name as written on
the face of the certificate representing such Old Notes without alteration,
enlargement or any change whatsoever.
If any of the Old Notes tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more
joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
If any of the Old Notes tendered hereby are registered in different names,
it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate copies of
this Letter of Transmittal and any necessary accompanying documents as there are
different registrations.
When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the Holder(s) of Old Notes
listed and tendered hereby, no endorsements or separate bond powers are
required.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by trustees, executors,
administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others
acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so
indicate when signing, and, unless waived by the Company, proper evidence
satisfactory to the Company of their authority to so act must be submitted.
7. Special Delivery Instructions. Tendering Holders should indicate in the
applicable box the name and address to which New Notes issued in consideration
of Old Notes accepted for exchange, or Old Notes for principal amounts not
exchanged or not tendered, are to be sent, if different from the name and
address of the person signing this Letter of Transmittal.
8. Waiver of Conditions. The Company reserves the absolute right to waive
any of the specified conditions in the Exchange Offer, in whole at any time or
in part from time to time, in the case of any Old Notes tendered hereby. See
"The Exchange Offer - Conditions to the Exchange Offer" in the Prospectus.
9. Transfer Taxes. The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any,
applicable to the exchange of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If,
however, New Notes and/or substitute Old Notes for principal amounts not
exchanged are to be delivered to any person other than the Holder of the Old
Notes or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of
Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the amount of any such transfer taxes
(whether imposed on the registered Holder or any other persons) will be payable
by the tendering Holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or
exemption therefrom is not submitted, the amount of such transfer taxes will be
billed directly to such tendering Holder.
10. Irregularities. All questions as to validity, form, eligibility
(including time of receipt), acceptance and withdrawal of tendered Old Notes
will be resolved by the Company, in its sole discretion, whose determination
shall be final and binding. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject
any or all tenders of any particular Old Notes that are not in proper form, or
the acceptance of which would, in the opinion of the Company or its counsel, be
unlawful. The Company also reserves the absolute right to waive any defect,
irregularity or condition of tender with regard to any particular Old Notes. The
Company's interpretation of the terms of, and conditions to, the Exchange Offer
(including the instructions herein) will be final and binding. Unless waived,
any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders must be cured within
such time as the Company shall determine. Neither the Company nor the Exchange
Agent shall be under any duty to give notification of defects in such tenders or
shall incur any liability for failure to give such notification. The Exchange
Agent intends to use reasonable efforts to give notification of such defects and
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irregularities. Tenders of Old Notes will not be deemed to have been made until
all defects and irregularities have been cured or waived. Any Old Notes received
by the Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the
irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned by the Exchange
Agent to the tendering Holder, unless otherwise provided by this Letter of
Transmittal, as soon as practicable following the Expiration Date.
11. Interest on Exchanged Old Notes. Holders whose Old Notes are accepted
for exchange will not receive accrued interest thereon on the date of exchange.
Instead, interest accruing from November 7, 1996 through the Expiration Date
will be payable on the New Notes on May 15, 1997, in accordance with the terms
of the New Notes. See "The Exchange Offer-Acceptance of Old Notes for Exchange;
Delivery of New Notes" and "Description of Senior Notes."
12. Mutilated, Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. Holders whose
certificates for Old Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed should
contact the Exchange Agent at the address indicated above for further
instructions.
IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR FACSIMILE HEREOF), TOGETHER WITH
ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, OR A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY, MUST BE RECEIVED BY
THE EXCHANGE AGENT PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.
IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
Under Federal income tax laws, a registered Holder of Old Notes or New
Notes is required to provide the Trustee (as payer) with such Holder's correct
TIN on Substitute Form W-9 below or otherwise establish a basis for exemption
from backup withholding. If such Holder is an individual, the TIN is his social
security number. If the Trustee is not provided with the correct TIN, a $50
penalty may be imposed by the Internal Revenue Service, and payments made to
such Holder with respect to Old Notes or New Notes may be subject to backup
withholding.
Certain Holders (including, among others, all corporations and certain
foreign persons) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting
requirements. Exempt Holders should indicate their exempt status on Substitute
Form W-9. A foreign person may qualify as an exempt recipient by submitting to
the Trustee a properly completed Internal Revenue Service Form W-8, signed under
penalties of perjury, attesting to that Holder's exempt status. A Form W-8 can
be obtained from the Trustee.
If backup withholding applies, the Trustee is required to withhold 31% of
any payments made to the Holder or other payee. Backup withholding is not an
additional Federal income tax. Rather, the Federal income tax liability of
persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax
withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be
obtained from the Internal Revenue Service.
Purpose of Substitute Form W-9
To prevent backup withholding on payments made with respect to Old Notes or
New Notes the Holder is required to provide the Trustee with: (i) the Holder's
correct TIN by completing the form below, certifying that the TIN provided on
Substitute Form W-9 is correct (or that such Holder is awaiting a TIN) and that
(A) such Holder is exempt from backup withholding, (B) the Holder has not been
notified by the Internal Revenue Service that the Holder is subject to backup
withholding as a result of failure to report all interest or dividends or (C)
the Internal Revenue Service has notified the Holder that the Holder is no
longer subject to backup withholding; and (ii) if applicable, an adequate basis
for exemption.
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PAYER'S NAME: FLEET NATIONAL BANK
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SUBSTITUTE Part 1 - PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN THE BOX AT RIGHT AND Social Security Number
CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND DATING BELOW
Form W-9
Department of the
Treasury-Internal OR______________________
Revenue Service Employer Identification Number
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Part 2 - Certification - Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
Payer's Request for (1) The number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer Identification Number (or I am waiting
Taxpayer for a number to be issued to me); and
Identification (2) I am not subject to backup withholding because (i) I am exempt from backup withholding,
Number ("TIN") (ii) I have not been notifiedby the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") that I am subject to
backup withholding as a result of failure to report all interest or dividends, or (iii) the IRS
has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding.
Certificate instruction -- You must cross out item 2) in Part 2 above if you have been notified
by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding because of under reporting interest or
dividends on your tax return. However, if after being notified by the IRS that you were subject
to backup withholding you received another notification from the IRS stating that you are no
longer subject to backup withholding, do not cross out item (2).
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Part 3
SIGNATURE....................................DATE........., 1997
Awaiting TIN |_|
NAME (Please Print).......................................
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NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING
OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW
THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX IN PART
3 OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.
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CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number has
not been issued to me, and either (i) I have mailed or delivered an application
to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate Internal Revenue
Service Center or Social Security Administration Office or (ii) I intend to mail
or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that if I do not
provide a taxpayer identification number within 60 days, 31% of all reportable
payments made to me thereafter will be withheld until I provide a number.
Signature................................................Date...................
Name (Please Print).............................................................
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PLEASE READ ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
================================================================================
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(See Instructions 1 and 7)
To be completed ONLY if the New Notes issued in consideration of Old Notes
exchanged, or certificates for Old Notes in a principal amount not surrendered
for exchange are to be mailed to someone other than the undersigned or to the
undersigned at an address other than that below.
Mail to:
Name:___________________________________________________________________________
(Please Print)
Address:________________________________________________________________________
(Zip Code)
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DESCRIPTION OF OLD NOTES
(See Instructions 2 and 7)
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Name(s) and Address(es) of Certificate(s)
Registered Holder(s) (Attach additional signed list, if necessary)
(Please fill in, in blank)
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Aggregate Principal Amount of Principal Amount of Old
Certificate Number(s)(1) Old Notes Evidenced by Notes Tendered(2) (must be
Certificate(s) integral multiples of $1,000)
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Total
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(1) Need not be completed if Old Notes are being tendered by book-entry
transfer.
(2) Unless otherwise indicated, the entire principal amount of Old Notes
evidenced by any certificate will be deemed to have been tendered.
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(Boxes below to be checked by Eligible Institutions only)
|_| CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH THE BOOK-ENTRY
TRANSFER FACILITY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name of Tendering Institution
DTC Account Number
Transaction Code Number
|_| CHECK HERE AND ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IF
TENDERED OLD NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED
DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name(s) of Registered Holder(s)
Window Ticket Number (if any)
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery
If Guaranteed Delivery is to be made by Book-Entry Transfer:
Name of Tendering Institution
DTC Account Number
Transaction Code Number
|_| CHECK HERE IF TENDERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND NON-EXCHANGED OLD NOTES
ARE TO BE RETURNED BY CREDITING THE DTC ACCOUNT NUMBER SET FORTH ABOVE.
|_| CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED THE OLD NOTES FOR ITS
OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET MAKING OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES (A
"PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER") AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF
THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.
Name
Address
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PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE SIGN HERE
WHETHER OR NOT OLD NOTES ARE BEING
PHYSICALLY TENDERED HEREBY
X
X
Signature(s) of Owner(s) Dated
of Authorized Signatory
Area Code and Telephone Number:
This box must be signed by registered holder(s) of Old Notes as their name(s)
appear(s) on certificate(s) for Old Notes hereby tendered or on a security
position listing, or by any person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s)
by endorsement and documents transmitted with this Letter (including such
opinions of counsel, certifications and other information as may be required by
the Company or the Trustee for the Old Notes to comply with the restrictions on
transfer applicable to the Old Notes). If signature is by an attorney-in-fact,
trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, officer or other person acting in a
fiduciary or representative capacity, such person must set forth his or her full
title below.
Name(s)
(Please Print)
Capacity (full title)
Address
(Include Zip Code)
Tax Identification or Social Security Number(s)
Guarantee of Signature(s)
(See Instructions 1 and 6 to determine if required)
Authorized Signature
Name
Name of Firm
Title
Address
Area Code and Telephone Number
Dated
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GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
Guidelines for Determining the Proper Identification Number to Give the Payer.
Social Security numbers have nine digits separated by two hyphens: i.e.,
000-00-0000. Employer identification numbers have nine digits separated by only
one hyphen: i.e., 00-0000000. The table below will help determine the number to
give the payer.
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For this type Give the SOCIAL For this type Give the EMPLOYER
of account: SECURITY number of account: IDENTIFICATION
of-- number of--
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1. Individual The individual 6. Sole proprietorship The owner(1)
2. Two or more individuals (joint The actual owner of the account 7. A valid trust, estate, or pens Legal entity (3)
account) or, if combined funds, the first trust
individual on the account.(2)
8. Corporate The corporation
3. Custodian account of a minor The minor(4) 9. Association, club, religious, The organization
(Uniform Gift to Minors Act) charitable, educational or
other tax-exempt organization
10. Partnership The partnership
4.a. The usual revocable savings The grantor-trustee 11. A broker or registered nominee The broker or nominee
trust (grantor is also trustee)
b. So-called trust account that is The actual owner 12. Account with the Department of The public entity
not a legal or valid trust Agriculture in the name of a
under State law public entity (such as a State
or local government, school
5. Sole proprietorship The owner(1) district, or prison) that
receives agricultural program
payments
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(1) You must show your individual name, but you may also enter your business or
"doing business as" name. You may use either your SSN or EIN.
(2) List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish.
(3) List first and circle the name of the legal trust, estate, or pension
trust. (Do not furnish the identifying number of the personal
representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated
in the account title.)
(4) Circle the minor's name and furnish the minor's social security number.
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GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
PAGE 2
Obtaining a Number
If you don't have a taxpayer identification number or you don't know your
number, obtain Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Number Card, or Form
SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, at the local office of the
Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service and apply for a
number.
Payees Exempt from Backup Withholding
The following is a list of payees exempt from backup withholding and for which
no information reporting is required. For interest and dividends, all listed
payees are exempt except item (9). For broker transactions, payees listed in
items (1) through (13) and a person registered under the Investment Advisers Act
of 1940 U.C. who regularly acts as a broker are exempt. Payments subject to
reporting under sections 6041 and 6041A are generally exempt from backup
withholding only if made to payees described in items (1) through (7), except a
corporation that provides medical and health care services or bills and collects
payments for such services is not exempt from backup withholding or information
reporting. Only payees described in items (2) through (6) are exempt from backup
withholding for barter exchange transactions, patronage dividends, and payments
by certain fishing boat operators.
(1) A corporation.
(2) An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), or an individual
retirement plan or custodial account under section 403(b)(7).
(3) The United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
(4) A State, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or
any subdivision or instrumentality thereof.
(5) A foreign government, a political subdivision of a foreign government, or
an agency or instrumentality thereof.
(6) An international organization or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
(7) A foreign central bank of issue.
(8) A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the U.S. or a
possession of the U.S.
(9) A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission.
(10) A real estate investment trust.
(11) An entity registered at all times under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
(12) A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a).
(13) A financial institution.
(14) A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or listed in the
most recent publication of the American Society of Corporate Secretaries,
Inc. Nominee List.
(15) An exempt charitable remainder trust, or a non-exempt trust described in
section 4947.
Payments of dividends and patronage dividends not generally subject to backup
withholding include the following:
o Payments to nonresident aliens subject to withholding under section 1441.
o Payments to partnerships not engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. and
which have at least one nonresident partner.
o Payments of patronage dividends not paid in money.
o Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
Note: You may be subject to backup withholding if this interest is $600 or
more and is paid in the course of the payer's trade or business and you
have not provided your correct taxpayer identification number to the payer.
o Payments of tax-exempt interest (including exempt-interest dividends under
section 852).
o Payments described in section 6049(b)(5) to nonresident aliens.
o Payments on tax-free covenant bonds under section 1451.
o Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
Exempt payees described above should file Form W-9 to avoid possible erroneous
backup withholding. FILE THIS FORM WITH THE PAYER. FURNISH YOUR TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. WRITE "EXEMPT" ON THE FACE OF THE FORM AND RETURN IT TO
THE PAYER. IF THE PAYMENTS ARE INTEREST, DIVIDENDS, OR PATRONAGE DIVIDENDS, ALSO
SIGN AND DATE THE FORM.
Certain payments other than interest, royalties, and patronage dividends that
are not subject to information reporting are also not subject to backup
withholding. For details, see the regulations under sections 6041, 6041A(a),
6045, and 6050A.
Privacy Act Notice. Section 6109 requires most recipients of dividend, interest,
or other payments to give taxpayer identification numbers to payers who must
report the payments to IRS. IRS uses the numbers for identification purposes.
Payers must be given the numbers whether or not recipients are required to file
tax returns. Payers must generally withhold 31% of taxable interest, dividend,
and certain other payments to a payee who does not furnish a taxpayer
identification number to a payer. Certain penalties may also apply.
Penalties
(1) Penalty for Failure to Furnish Taxpayer Identification Number. If you fail
to furnish your taxpayer identification number to a payer, you are subject to a
penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable
cause and not to willful neglect.
(2) Failure to Report Certain Dividend and Interest Payments. If you fail to
include any portion of an includible payment for interest, dividends, or
patronage dividends in gross income, such failure will be treated as being due
to negligence and will be subject to a penalty of 5% on any portion of an
under-payment attributable to that failure unless there is clear and convincing
evidence to the contrary.
(3) Civil Penalty for False Information with Respect to Withholding. If you make
a false statement with no reasonable basis which results in no imposition of
backup withholding, you are subject to a penalty of $500.
(4) Criminal Penalty for Falsifying Information. Willfully falsifying
certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including
fines and/or imprisonment.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT
OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.
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